Wood Privacy Fence Installation in the Triangle

A properly installed wood privacy fence using pressure-treated ground-contact lumber typically lasts 15 to 25 years in the North Carolina climate. The biggest factors are post installation depth (we set posts in concrete below frost line), wood grade, and whether the fence is sealed or stained every 2–3 years. Our pressure-treated Southern Yellow Pine is rated for ground contact and humid Southeastern conditions, which is what makes a 20-year service life realistic in Durham, Raleigh and Chapel Hill yards.

We build with #2 Grade or better Southern Yellow Pine, pressure-treated for ground contact and rated for the North Carolina climate. All posts are 4x4 ground-contact pressure-treated, rails are 2x4 pressure-treated, and pickets are 1x6 pressure-treated dog-ear (or your selected profile). Cedar and other premium woods are available on request, but pressure-treated Southern Yellow Pine offers the best longevity-to-price ratio for our humid, rainy climate.

A dog-ear fence has pickets butted edge-to-edge with the top corners trimmed at 45° — it's the classic Triangle backyard fence and the most affordable wood privacy option. A board-on-board fence uses alternating pickets that overlap on both sides of the rails, creating a thicker, more solid look with full privacy even as boards shrink over time. Board-on-board runs roughly $4–6 more per linear foot but is significantly more durable and less prone to gaps.

A shadowbox (or 'good neighbor') fence has alternating pickets on opposite sides of the rails, creating a fence that looks finished from both sides. It provides semi-privacy with airflow gaps between boards — great for hot Triangle summers and yards where you don't want a solid wall feel. Shadowbox fences also age more evenly because both sides see equal sun and weather.

Permit requirements vary by city. Raleigh generally requires a fence permit for fences over 6 feet or in front yards, while many Durham residential fence projects under 6 feet do not require a city permit. The homeowner is responsible for all required permits. We recommend confirming requirements with your local zoning office before installation begins.

A typical 150 linear-foot residential wood privacy fence project takes 2 working days. Day 1 is post-setting: we mark the line, dig 24–30 inch post holes, set 4x4 ground-contact posts in concrete, and let them cure. Day 2 is panels: rails and pickets are attached, gates are hung, and the site is cleaned up. Larger jobs (300+ LF) or fences with heavy gates and complex terrain may run 3–4 days.

Pressure-treated Southern Yellow Pine will last for years without any treatment — the chemical preservatives in ground-contact lumber are rated for decades of exposure. That said, applying a quality oil-based stain or sealer every 2–3 years dramatically extends the life of the fence, reduces cupping and splitting, and keeps it looking new. We recommend waiting 6–12 months after installation before the first stain so the wood can fully dry.

Yes — every quote includes the gates you need. Standard 4-foot walk gates use heavy-duty hinges and a self-latching latch. Double drive gates (typically 8–12 feet wide) are available for driveway and side-yard access, with drop rods and commercial-grade hinges sized for the gate weight. We also build matching gate frames so the gate is indistinguishable from the rest of the fence line.